As part of its annual National Harvest Festival celebration, Silver Dollar City theme park in Branson, MO is hosting a special new exhibit - PBS Craft in America.The exhibit, developed exclusively for the park, is taken directly from the Peabody-award winning PBS documentary series featuring unique American artists. A total of 50 of America’s top artists will choose their most stunning and unique works of art to be displayed at Silver Dollar City.

Another exciting exhibit is the new Caricature Carvers of America Showcase featuring Silver Dollar City artisans like Peter Engler, Ted Blaylock, Peter Kramer, Lee Robertson, Tom Crain, Gary Dierking and Jesse Barnes. You’ll also find hundreds of visiting Craftsmen demonstrating throughout the park, including Best of Missouri Hands juried artists.

Winner of the “Big-E” award for Best Overall Production in 2009 by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, Headin’ West returns to the Silver Dollar City Opera House stage. Headin’ West is a special 45-minute live musical production that tells the timeless tale of American westward expansion during the 1860s.

Complete with colorful characters, harrowing adventures, a moving musical score, surprising special effects, vivid scenery and talented performers - Headin’ West is Silver Dollar City’s biggest production show ever.  The show, which is free with park admission, runs September 11 - October 24, 2010.

For information about Silver Dollar City tickets and discount Branson vacation packages, visit http://www.ticket2branson.com/ or http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

Looking for a great fright night? Look no further than the 20^th edition of the annual Halloween Horror Nights fright-fest at Universal Studios in Orlando.

With a long list of terrifying Haunted Houses set up around the theme park, there is plenty of fear to be found. But the frights don’t end with those Haunted Houses.

Halloween Horror Nights keeps the thrills and chills going with open air scare zones located between the houses.

This year’s scare zones include glimpses of past horrors, some re-imagining of old favorites, a zone that ties directly to a haunted house, as well as some all new material never before seen at HHH.

One of the old standbys, the chainsaw drill team, has patrolled the streets of HHN for many years. Wandering around with their menacing and loud saws, the drill team is always a good fright. But this year, they’ve added some creepy steam and some additional chain saw wielders to the zone.

The terrifying Zombie Gras scare zone can be found outside the exit of the Zombiegeddon house. Based on the park’s annual Mardi Gras festival, Zombie Gras is truly a parade gone wrong. A wreck has caused a power outage which, in turn, causes problems in the Zombiegeddon house.

Esqueleto Muerte is a scare zone based on Mexican Day of the Dead and offers “guests” a neon nightmare. Meanwhile, The Coven is highlighted by sirens that draw guests into a wooden area filled with horribly terrifying hag-like witches.

The HHN: 20 Years of Fear zone is an extension of the Hallow’d Past haunted house. Here, you’ll come face-to-face with evil and frightful icons of the past and the presence of Fear himself.

For photos, videos and more information on Halloween Horror Nights XX, go to www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com/Orlando. Or visit http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/ for information on discount Universal Orlando tickets and discount Orlando vacation packages.

Planet Hollywood Theater in Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino is one of the most exciting entertainment destinations on the Las Vegas Strip. Besides hosting red-carpet movie premieres, the Miss America and Miss USA Pageants and other special events, Planet Hollywood is the home of PEEPSHOW, a red-hot striptease spectacular starring Holly Madison.

The historic Planet Hollywood Theater for the Performing Arts has hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment, ranging from Nine Inch Nails to Cedric the Entertainer.

And there continues to be a long list of events and entertainers lined up to keep Planet Hollywood at the top as an after-dark destination in Vegas.

Emmy Award-winning comedian and improvisational genius Wayne Brady has a new home in the CHI showroom at Planet Hollywood. Other entertainment specials coming to the resort include Jermaine Jackson’s 40 years of Jackson Family Music on Oct. 2, 2010; comedian Robin Sykes on Oct. 15, 2010; Grammy and Emmy winner Justin Timberlake and Friends on Oct. 23, 2010; the hit television show So You Think You Can Dance, on Nov. 12, 2010; and The Nutcracker by the acclaimed City Ballet of San Diego on Dec. 4, 2010.

For more information on Planet Hollywood Resort and Planet Hollywood Towers by Westgate, visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/. Or go to http://www.vegasvacationstore.com/ for details on discount Vegas show tickets and Vegas vacation packages.

Epcot’s annual Food & Wine Festival is just around the corner and festival goers can choose from an exciting schedule of seminars and demonstrations as well as great food and wine.The 2010 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival offers up a delicious spread of fresh ingredients, hot tips and secret techniques of culinary masters and a whole lot of fun as guests enjoy great food and tasty beverages.

You’ll find everything from wine tasting to demonstrations packed with cooking tips, plus opportunities to sample regional beers and cheeses. It’s all part of a yummy journey around Epcot.

Enjoy a 30-minute Authentic Taste Seminar where you’ll celebrate the origins, properties and history of some of the world’s most popular ingredients. This lively and informative presentation by subject authorities is included with regular Epcot admission.

Another festival series, Authors without Borders, features renowned authors from the food and wine industries who will speak about popular topics. These enlightening 30-minutes conversations are included with Epcot admission.

Seasons of the Vine is a seven-minute journey offering a “behind-the-scenes introduction” to wine growing. The short film will run continuously throughout the day and is included with Epcot admission. Other cost free events include a variety of daily culinary demonstrations. These 45-minute sessions include a featured chef and wine presenter who will provide cooking tips as you taste the demonstrated dish.

Wine and beverage seminars are also featured for a small additional cost.  These 45-minute sessions allow you to meet the featured winery representative, learn some wine tips and sample specially selected vintages or beverages.

For additional information on Epcot and other Walt Disney World Resort theme parks in Orlando, FL, visit http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/ or http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

The beautiful Missouri Ozarks have yet to reach their fall colors, yet it’s never too early in the year to start planning a holiday celebration in Branson.

In fact, Branson’s Ozark Mountain Christmas remains one of the busiest and most popular events of the year.

The Ozark Mountain Christmas warms hearts and captures the holiday spirit with a simple and traditional tone that includes a lit adoration scene high atop Mount Branson, Silver Dollar City’s “Old Time Christmas” festival, and miles of glowing Christmas lights.

Silver Dollar City’s “Old Time Christmas” celebrates the season with more than one million lights as well as a variety of special Christmas shows and activities.

The “Branson Area Festival of Lights” and the Shepherd of the Hills “Trail of Lights” provide separate drive through lighting displays with millions of sparkling lights and displays.  In addition, the majority of Branson’s regular shows join in the Christmas spirit by devoting a significant portion of their performances to the celebration of Christmas.

You’ll also find special Christmas performances such as Andy Williams Christmas Show, The Gatlin Brothers and Debby Boone, Tony Orlando and the Lennon Sisters Christmas Celebration and more. As a result, it’s wise to book your seats early for holiday shows.

Of course, any time is a great time to start your Christmas shopping in Branson thanks to the area’s many unique boutiques and specialty shops.

For more on discount Branson show tickets or special discount Branson vacation packages and lodging, visit http://www.ticket2branson.com/ or http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

From great fishing lakes to fun-filled theme parks and a never-ending list of live shows and entertainment, there’s never a lack of excitement and energy in Branson, Missouri. Here are just a few of the ways you can turn your Branson getaway into a special vacation full of memories:

• Feed the ducks and geese on Lake Taneycomo.
• Shop for souvenirs at Dick’s 5 & 10 in Historic Downtown Branson.
• Catch a lunker brown or rainbow trout on Lake Taneycomo.
• Stop by one of Branson’s many attractions such as the towering Titanic ship.
• Thrill to the ride down the seven-story high Kalani Tower water slide at White Water.
• Experience KidsFest or one of the other annual festivals at Silver Dollar City.
• Have a picnic along the shores of beautiful Table Rock Lake.
• Learn the history of Branson at Shepherd of the Hills Theatre.
• Laugh out loud at one of Branson’s many comedy shows.
• Hike or bike in the spectacular Ozark Mountains.

For more on things to do in Branson or to find discount show tickets and discount Branson vacation package deals, go to http://www.ticket2branson.com/ or http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort presents its monthly Velvet Sessions concert featuring Better than Ezra, September 30, 2010. The rock band is best known for its hits “Desperately Wanting,” “Good,” “Rosealia,” “In the Blood” and “Extra Ordinary.”Velvet Sessions is open to adults age 21 and over. The evening includes themed specialty drinks and hors d’ouevres which are included in the price from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Starting at 8:30 p.m., additional cocktails are available at a cash bar while the band takes the stage in the lobby of the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando. Parking is free at the hotel situated adjacent to Universal Studios theme park.

Admission for the Velvet Sessions program is $35 in advance online or $40 at the door. For details, see http://www.universalorlando.com/.

Discount Orlando hotel accommodations and discount Universal Studios theme park tickets are available at http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/.

Other popular bands that have recently played Velvet Sessions include The Fixx, Psychedelic Furs, Everclear, Asia, the Romantics, Joan Jett, and others.

Located in the heart of Missouri’s Ozark Mountains, Branson is best known for its seemingly never-ending number of family friendly live shows and concerts. It’s also known for its amazing and beautiful Lakes which offer myriad recreational opportunities.Now, Branson Landing provides the best of both worlds - a spectacular view of scenic Lake Taneycomo and a fun-filled waterfront shopping, dining and entertainment complex.

Branson Landing features more than 100 specialty stores and restaurants plus a unique boardwalk along a 1.5 mile lakefront area. The centerpiece is a vibrant town square that terraces down to a $7.5 million water fountain attraction that merges water, fire and music to create a dazzling display with 120-foot geysers, fire cannons and choreographed lights and music.

Enjoy spectacular performances of the Branson Landing Fountains starting at Noon daily. Shows are hourly til 10:30 p.m. with additional shows every half-hour from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Visitors can see a special two show presentation at 2 p.m. and a three show presentation at 7 p.m.

For more information on Branson Landing as well as discount Branson show tickets and discount Branson vacation packages, please visit http://www.ticket2branson.com/ or http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

The waves are still crashing against America’s most popular family beach, but the onset of fall also brings with it one of the best times to golf in Myrtle Beach!

With more than 100 golf courses scattered throughout the beautiful Grand Strand area of South Carolina, Myrtle Beach remains a top rated golfer’s paradise. Choose from championship courses designed by the likes of golf legends such as Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and others.

With so many course options to choose from, you’re sure to find just the right course for virtually any skill level - casual duffer to professional. There are also myriad par-3 courses as well as fun-filled miniature golf courses.

Myrtle Beach golf courses offer spectacular, natural environments with towering pines, majestic oaks, rolling greens and even oceanfront vistas. Whether you come for the beach or just the golf, Myrtle’s fabulous fairways are sure to help you make memories.

For more on golf in Myrtle Beach or for discount Myrtle Beach vacation package deals, visit http://www.westgatemyrtlebeach.com/ or http://www.westgatereservations.com/.  

 It’s never too early to start thinking about the holidays at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL. And one special event at Epcot is already beginning to take shape.Epcot’s annual Candlelight Processional is scheduled to take place nightly from Nov. 26 thru Dec. 30, 2010. This special holiday music presentation includes a mass choir, a live orchestra and celebrity narrators who will read the Christmas Story.

Celebrities tentatively scheduled to narrate include Isabella Rossellini, Frank Langella, Jodi Benson, Whoopi Goldberg, Steven Curtis Chapman, Thomas Gibsoj, Trace Adkins, Brad Garrett and Marlee Matlin with interpreter Jack Jason.

For more on Disney events and Orlando discount vacation packages and tickets, go to http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/ or http://www.westgatereservations.com/.